Here Is How Maryam’s Life Inspired Me… It Can Inspire You Too

As a Muslim woman, I have been inspired and learned many lessons from Maryam's life. Mentioned in the Qur’an frequently, her life story inspired me as a young girl growing up in a non-Muslim country. It has continued to do so many years later. First Impression I was around 6 years old when my youngest sister was born. My late father picked me up from school to take me to meet our newest addition. As I walked into the Brisbane Mater Hospital, I remember how a painting of a beautiful veiled woman met us in the hospital entrance. As I&hellip;

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As a Muslim woman, I have been inspired and learned many lessons from Maryam’s life. Mentioned in the Qur’an frequently, her life story inspired me as a young girl growing up in a non-Muslim country. It has continued to do so many years later.

First Impression

I was around 6 years old when my youngest sister was born. My late father picked me up from school to take me to meet our newest addition.

As I walked into the Brisbane Mater Hospital, I remember how a painting of a beautiful veiled woman met us in the hospital entrance.

As I waited for the lift doors to open, I remember how I kept looking at the beautiful painting. I made a mental note to ask my father who she was.

That night, when I did ask him, my father told me it was Maryam, or Mary, the mother of Jesus. He also said that Maryam has been described in the Qur’an as the best woman that will ever exist; a role model for all Muslim women of all ages. My father then told me that I, too, should make her my role model, along with all the mothers of the believers.

He said I should imitate the impeccable manners and genuine devotion to and trust in Allah, which reflected Maryam’s perfect worship and behavior.

Role Model

Many years later and as I once again face another challenge in life, I am reminded of my father’s words. My thoughts once again return to Maryam, who was more than a model believer.

Maryam was also a perfect example of a person who overcame intense physical pain and, as I am now, emotional turmoil.

There are many beautiful lessons found in Surah Maryam, the only Quranic Chapter named after a woman. Its verses offer many opportunities for reflection on how Allah has made the family.

Although both my parents are gone, I can still do so much for them. I remember my father telling me that there are verses in the Qur’an telling us of our bond with our parents and how they are a gift in the world.

I also remember feeling such a deep significance in the lessons from her story and how it inspired me to think about the strength women and men need in order to raise righteous children.

Maryam’s Strength

Her strength was exemplified when Maryam became pregnant by Allah’s decree and was to deliver her child all alone.

While people accused her of the worst of sins, Maryam resisted pessimism and displayed enormous willpower, resolve, and faith in Allah.

Maryam placed her fullest trust in His plan and was therefore unaffected by their accusations. This can be seen in Maryam’s response to the news that she was expecting a child: she has never been impure so how could this be?

Allah had sent an angel, like He did with Zakaria, in order to tell her that for Allah, anything is easy.

The Quran reads:

{And [mention] when the angels said, “O Maryam (Mary,) indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. (42) O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].} (Aal `Imran 3:42-43)

Regardless of how difficult and hopeless things may seem, we should not worry; everything is easy for Allah.

Faith Challenges

These days it can be easy for our faith in Allah to wane. We may even surrender to sadness. Yet, we learn through Maryam that patience and faith are rewarded.

Maryam receives glad tidings that she will be gifted with a righteous son; her son, as we know, was to be the Prophet Jesus.

{He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said: “That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).} (Maryam 19:21)

By persevering in trusting Allah, the highest levels of productivity can be achieved.

Worship

As Muslims, our prayers are the most important method of worship in our lives; it is the first thing that we will be questioned about on the Day of Judgement.

Prayer was the last thing that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered before he passed away. It has also been cited over 600 times in the Qur’an.

Maryam’s devotion is mentioned in the Qur’an, also. Allah praises Maryam in the Qur’an and declares her as being obedient to Allah in the following verse.

{And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].} (Aal `Imran 3:42-43)

No Control

From Maryam I have learned patience and humility.

While some of us get egotistical in this world, Allah reminds us in the surah that we have no control over when or where we are born.

Furthermore, we are reminded that we go through life wondering when and how we will leave this world.

In actual fact, the ultimate knowledge is with Allah. So who are we to be arrogant?

We know this also from the hadith, which reminds us that the pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.

Inspirations and Lessons

There are many lessons we all can take from Maryam, including myself on a personal level, but learning to have few worldly expectations may have been the most significant.

I realized, also, that as a parent, I should put more focus on raising my children to aim for success. By success, I am not suggesting the highest of positions or income, but rather to work and invest for the afterlife. That is what counts in the end.

Just as Zakariah raised Maryam and just as she raised the Prophet Jesus in the story of Maryam, I have learned to ask Allah for my children to be raised with one expectation in sight: I call on Him to make them good Muslims and devoted servants of Allah.

Her inspirations are endless and there is nothing more in our hands than to supplicate that we have the strength and courage of Maryam to be patient through our hardships.

Her life has taught me personally to be in a consistent state of working for the betterment of both myself and my family. For in front of Allah and on the Day of Judgement, we will all be held accountable.

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About
Deana Nassar

Deana Nassar is a published writer. As a mother of four, in her home she’s the sole expert on all things related to marriage, children’s psychology, motherhood and creative survival.

She loves charity work, reading and writing poetry, and is mostly known for writing articles discussing family and social issues, faith, freedom, and purpose that comes through God. She can be reached at [email protected]